Method of finishing metal walls



M. C. VANDER KAMP METHOD OF FINISHING METAL WALLS Aug. 2 1 927. 1,637,193

Filed May 21, 1925 Patented Aug. 2, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

METHOD OF FINISHING METAL WALLS.

Application filed May 21, 1925. Serial No. 31,858.

This invention relates particularly to a method of holding tile and like compositions onto a surface of metal and the'invention relates especially to such a method, whereby the metal walls of the rooms of a ship can be formed and decorated in much the same manner as walls formed from other material are now decorated in hotels and like structures. Plaster and like compositions will not adhere to metal surfaces such as the metal walls of rooms on ships and therefore where such Walls are covered at all, it is necessary to drill into or through the walls to secure a holding support thereto. Wood panel work is the usual material used in covering such walls. This panel work is not only very expensive to install, but also forms a reat fire hazard.' It is the primary object of my invention to provide a method whereby these metal walls can be easily covered with the desired coverin and decorating material in a manner simi ar to that now used on other walls.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the features of construction and operation set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In such drawing annexed hereto and forming a part of this specification, I have shown one specific em-- bodiment of my invention but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope ofthe invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that pur-' pose.

The figure in the drawing illustrates one, specific embodiment of my invention. The floors of bathrooms and often the walls thereof, are finished with blocks or tiles laid in cement. The walls of other rooms are usually covered with a coating of plaster or mortar, which coatin is thereafter papered or decorated as deemed. This outer layer is mounted on a thicker layer of a coarse plastic material secured to the floor or wall. As stated above, such material will not adhere to a metal surface and therefore the metal walls of ships have not been thus finished and decorated. .My invention aims to provide a method for overcoming this objection, thereby greatl improving the interior decoration of s ips and at less expense than the cost of the present decorating thereof.

1' have contemplated the covering of-these metal walls with a material such as will support the outer finishing layer, mortar, tiles, or the like. The difficulty however has been to secure such material to the metal. After considerable experimenting I havefound that asphalt adheres with great security to metal and also to material formed from plastic compositions. Upon further experiment I have found that by forming the desired wall covering material into fiat blocks of a uniform thickness and providing a coating of heated asphalt to one of the cooperating surfaces of the blocks and metal, the blocks will adhere to the metal with great security. A metal wall can thereby be entirely covered with a material to Which the usual finishing layer of mortar, tiles etc. can

quality of adhering so securely to asphalt,

the quality of elasticity being particularly desirable on ship walls because of the warp ing and weaving movement of such walls I have found that this material like other material of a similar nature will not make a permanent bond with the metal surface. As stated above, however, I have found that by applying a layer of heated asphalt between the surfaces, prior to uniting the same, the two materials are securely and permanently bonded together whatever may be the character of their surfaces. The accompanying drawing illustrates the use of this invention in connection with .two such surfaces.

In the drawings, the metal plate 1 may be a wall, a floor, or any other like surface. A layer 2 of covering material is secured to the plate 1 by an intermediate coating of heated asphalt 4. As above stated, this layer 2 comprises a plurality of fiat blocks molded from the desired covering material, this material preferably bein magnesite for the reasons stated. A finis ing layer of mortar, tiles, or any desired material can be provided over the layer 2. In the drawing I have illustrated the finishing layer as being formed of tiling 3, which may be secured to the outer surface of the layer 2'by a layer 5 of cement,asphalt, or any other suitable adhesive. When the outer finishing layer of mortar or the like is applied in a plastic state, the same adheres to the layer 2 in the usual manner without any intermediate adhesive material.

As will be obvious, my invention provides a method whereby metal walls can be finished off in like manner as have been other walls heretofore. The asphalt furthermore not only rovides a firm bond between the metal an laye122 of covering materiahbut the asphalt is also plastic and flexible, thereby adapting the same particularly for use on ships and wherever the walls or floors are subjected to movement. Furthermore, the magnesite covering, also being flexible, cooperates with the asphalt to form a covering which will adhere to the wall or floor even though the same are subjected to considerable movement. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of finishing metal walls of ships, comprising forming a coating layer over the wall to be finished of an elastic binding agent, arran in blocks of magnesite mater al on said inding agent whereby to cement the blocks to the wall, and then forming a finish coatin on the exterior surface of said magnesite lmlocks.

2. A method of finishing metal walls of ships, which comprises forming a comparatively thin layer of an elastic binding a ent over the wall to be finished, said bin ing agent consisting of an asphalt composition in a heated condition, then placing blocks of magnesite material on the wall over said coating to cement the blocks to the wall, forming a coating of a binding agent over said blocks, and then applying a finish to the blocks, the finish adhering to the blocks due to the provision of the binding a ent.

MARTIN C. VAN DER MP. 

